The Bay of Biscay

15th November 2009.

Good day from the Bay of Biscay, one of the most famous stretches of water in the world. If you are travelling to the Mediterranean from the UK or any part of northern Europe by sea you have to cross it! It has a rather fearsome reputation and I have been across it in every conceivable sea state and weather condition from flat calm to severe storm, from clear and sunny to pouring with rain, to even a snow storm! It is 350 nautical miles across, and so at our scheduled speed of 18.87 knots, from (Vigo to Southampton); the crossing of the ‘Bay’ will take around eighteen hours. We entered the ‘Bay’ last night rounding Cape Finisterre, Galicia, Spain at around 9.00pm. So we should be through the ‘Bay’ at around 3.00pm this afternoon as we pass around Ushant in Brittany, France. We then enter the English Channel and start our run up to Southampton.

It’s very sadly the last day of this cruise before Southampton tomorrow and our hectic turnaround; it has been a great Mediterranean cruise. Twenty five nights in all, fourteen ports of calls, a real voyage. The highlights for our passengers have been the beautiful days we spent in Venice and Istanbul; in both ports the weather was perfect. To have either Venice or Istanbul on a cruise itinerary is a highlight to say the least but to have them both in one cruise is simply outstanding.

The longer the cruise, the more challenging it is for the entertainment department! Just how do you entertain people for one night, let alone twenty five nights and twenty four days! What we do is give a whole choice and range of day and night time entertainment and that way there is something for everybody. It has been a super cruise, my team and I hope that the passengers have enjoyed it as much as we have.

I will be back tomorrow from our home port of Southampton. It’s going to be even busier than usual as our Headliners Theatre Company cast change, thirteen boys and girls off, thirteen new cast members on!

A photo galley of Vigo, Spain, which we called in to yesterday.

El Castro, built by Philip IV, King of Spain.

View from El Castro of the city of Vigo and Vigo Bay. Oriana can be seen at her berth in this shot. Cafe Bar O’Castro, for the very best creamy coffee and fresh croissants in town!

Myself outside Cafe Bar O’Castro, creamy coffee and fresh croissant at the ready!!
Two of the superb pieces of art work in Vigo.

Swimmer.

The Fishermen.

Oriana at her berth in Vigo 14th November 2009.

Bye from the ‘Bay’.

All the best